Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

Students may apply for this competitive internship which will be restricted to one student per semester who is jointly approved by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Parliament of Victoria and the Global Terrorism Research Centre (GTReC). The intern will gain vocational experience working in the Department's Security and Emergencies Unit, become acquainted with the areas of competence within the Unit and the Department, produce a research project on a counter-terrorism related topic upon which both the Department and GTReC agree, and enhance critical writing and communication skills by assisting in the drafting of related documents.

Objectives

Upon completing this unit students should:

1. Develop an understanding of the role of the role of the Security and Emergencies Unit and Department of Premier's counter-terrorism functions.
2. Develop an understanding of key counter-terrorism stakeholders' roles and significance in countering terrorism and the dynamics of their interactions.
3. Continue to develop critical skills and their abilities to develop a topic for investigation.
4. Develop skills to produce a major original project that is relevant to contemporary counter-terrorism policy and counter-terrorism stakeholders, especially the Security and Emergencies Unit, Department of Premier and Cabinet.
5. Continue to develop critical skills and their abilities to familiarise themselves with a wide range of sources.
6. Continue to develop critical skills and their abilities to recognise and be able to present a logically ordered argument.

Assessment

One research project (9000 words) that is mutually agreed upon by the Global Terrorism Research Centre and Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Pete Lentini

Contact hours

The student will be based for two days (approx. 16 hours) within the Security and Emergencies Unite, Department of Premier and Cabinet. In addition, the candidate will have weekly meetings with the Convenor of the Master of Counter-Terrorism Studies to discuss progress.

Prerequisites

Students must have successfully completed with distinction or above in all of the following: PLM4340/5340 (Fringe politics and extremist violence: an introduction to terrorism); PLM4310/5310 (Wars of recognition: terrorism and political violence); PLM4100/5100 (Terrorism, counter-terrorism, and intelligence) and PLM4080/5080 (Counter-terrorism policy, legislation, community engagement and support).

Prohibitions

Students who have not completed or achieved the marks of distinction or above in PLM4340/5340 (Fringe politics and extremist violence: an introduction to terrorism); PLM4310/5310 (Wars of recognition: terrorism and political violence); PLM4100/5100 (Terrorism, counter-terrorism, and intelligence) and PLM4080/5080 (Counter-terrorism policy, legislation, community engagement and support).